PBC on FS1 Quick Pick

Ivan Redkach vs. Luis Cruz: 30-year-old prospect Ivan Redkach (19-1, 15 KO) will return to action tonight against Luis Cruz (22-4, 16 KO).  The fight, which will be a PBC on FS1 card, is scheduled to go 10 rounds in the lightweight division.  Redkach is still trying to get back on track after losing to Dejan Zlaticanin just two fights ago.  While he followed up that loss with an early knockout win he still has a long way to climb to get to a title shot.  Redkach is a southpaw with pretty good pop on his punches.  The 30-year-old has a decent jab along with a good straight left hand.  However, his best punch is probably his right hook, although he does throw that punch too wide at times.  Defensively Redkach is not very good.  In his only career loss he was knocked out and often he will just put on earmuffs and wait for his opponent to stop throwing punches before mounting his own attack.  Redkach's opponent Cruz has the advantage when it comes to experience.  Cruz has been fighting professionally two years longer than Redkach and he has faced quality opponents in Edner Cherry, Jose Felix Jr., and Juan Carlos Burgos.  All of those opponents represented step up fights for Cruz who lost to all three.  Tonight we will see if Redkach is at that same level.  Cruz is an orthodox fighter who likes to bang on the inside.  On the inside Cruz loves to throw an uppercut with his right hand which is a good punch and he also has a solid left hook although much like with Redkach's right hook it can come in wide at times.  The problem for Cruz is that defensively he doesn't always keep his hands up which causes him to get caught clean with counter punches.  Cruz isn't a bad fighter but his willingness to stand and trade will be his downfall in this fight.  Redkach is the bigger puncher of the two and because of that he will win this fight via eighth round stoppage.